Local actor, comedian and writer, Diane Morgan, recently accepted an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton and her acceptance speech is as heartwarming as it is funny.
Born in Farnworth, Bolton, Diane Morgan has gone on to become a well-known stand-up comedian, actor, TV presenter and writer, among many other things over the past two decades.
Probably best known for her appearances on numerous UK panel shows, Netflix’s Afterlife and as her Bafta-nominated character Philomena Cunk, she is, without doubt, one of the most prominent comics in the country — a fact which was acknowledged by her local university in a ceremony last week.
Presented with the degree during the institution’s final day of annual graduation ceremonies last week, the Cunk on Earth star gave a short, sweet and humorous speech to her fellow graduates, joking, “I should not be here”.
Starting by saying, “There’s been a dreadful mistake”, Morgan was happy to self-deprecate and she accepted the surprise honour, adding, “I got a G in maths. A G!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Nevertheless, she expressed her gratitude to the university for their “generosity” and went on to shed further light on her long and winding road to success.
Regaling the audience with the story of how she “bumped into Maxine Peake who is also a Boltonian, when [they] were both auditioning to get into Manchester Polytechnic for the acting course” over 30 years ago, she explained that “neither of [them] got in” and it took “three long years” to be accepted.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the time between bumping into Peake outside Bolton Town Hall and getting into drama school, she detailed her various jobs, from “packing worming tablets, selling fish and chips” and even spending time working as “an Avon Lady”. She also confessed she was sacked from almost all of them.
Quipping that she lost one job at Bolton’s local Last Drop Village tea rooms because she didn’t know what a cream tea was, she went on to add: “I am here to tell you that anything is possible. If you’ve got passion and you work hard, you can do absolutely anything.
“Everyone told me that I wouldn’t be able to make it as an actress, that it was an impossible dream, that you’d need maths. You don’t need maths; you don’t need maths for anything… Take that Rishi Sunak!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Having cracked up the crowd throughout, that final comment — a dig at the Prime Minister’s remarks that this country suffers due to an “anti-maths mindset” — was met with rapturous applause in a room filled with people who appreciate the arts just as much as they do numbers and the hard sciences.
We pass on our congratulations to Diane Morgan on her honorary doctorate and well-deserved moment of recognition, and hope her story can serve as a reminder that you can do whatever you put your mind to. We didn’t do well in maths either — suck it, Rishi.
Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December
Emily Sergeant
Cinemas across the UK will be screening loads of classic festive films in the run-up to Christmas, and you can already book tickets.
With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans looking for some wholesome festive fun in the run-up to the big day itself will soon be able to head on down to their nearest Greater Manchester cinema to catch a classic on the big screen.
Vue, Odeon, and The Light are among the cinema chains set to screen a handful of beloved Christmas films throughout December.
Although there may already be a TV channel showing Christmas films 24/7 now on air in the UK, if you fancy seeing the festivities in full screen instead, then you can watch showings of fan-favourites like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, and more over the next few weeks.
Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December / Credit: 20th Century Studios | Universal Pictures
You can also see seasonal screenings of live ballet, theatre, and concert performances too.
Undoubtably one of the highlights on the lineup this year, however, has to be The Polar Express, with several cinema chains scheduled to screen the 2004 animated Christmas gem to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.
Starring Tom Hanks alongside a talented supporting cast of voice actors, The Polar Express is based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and tells the story of a young boy who boards a powerful magical train to visit Santa Claus’ home on Christmas Eve, learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas along the way.
Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually are among the films on the lineup / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
Looking for a more intimate festive film experience this Christmas?
Well you can also get yourself down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels, King Street Townhouse, where a jam-packed lineup of classics will be screened in its very-own exclusive cinema over the next two months.
Here you can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats too.
Head to your local cinema’s website to check when your favourite festive flicks are being screened.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
TV & Showbiz
Tommy Fury announces return to boxing after dropping out of I’m a Celeb 2024 last-minute
Danny Jones
Manc fighter Tommy Fury has announced his sudden return to boxing after dropping out of this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The Wythenshawe-born boxer hasn’t been in the ring since his victory over YouTube star turned fighter, musician and jack of all trades, KSI, back in December 2023, but he has now booked his next bout.
Preparing to take on former UFC middleweight Darren Till in the New Year, he’s set a blockbuster date for the hometown fight as Fury vs Till will be held at none other than Manchester’s state-of-the-art entertainment venue, Co-op Live.
Not even Tyson has had a Co-op fight yet – at least not the arena one, anyway.
Sharing the official DAZN fight poster this past weekend, the 25-year-old will take on Till as part of the next Misfits event, an ever-growing boxing promotion co-founded by his former opponent KSI.
This has all transpired very quickly as the 25-year-old looked set to feature on the 2024 I’m a Celeb lineup but ultimately pulled out in the 11th hour.
National treasures and long-serving hosts hosts, Ant and Dec, even made a dig about it on the first episode of this season which aired on Sunday night, expressing their disbelief at replacement Barry McGuigan doing the show before adding, “Well it was either do this or fight the YouTuber on Netflix.”
Besides the fight against KSI (real name Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji), his Fury‘s most notable fight famously came against fellow influencer and celebrity boxer Jake Paul, in which he was declared the victor following a split decision.
Meanwhile, Paul has continued to dive deeper into his now-pro boxing career, which officially began in 2020, and just recently a shock win over 58-year-old sporting legend Mike Tyson on points – though the exclusive Netflix-produced fight has been accused of being ‘rigged’.
31-year-old Till, on the other hand, has long maintained his opinion of the younger Fury brother’s boxing ability and seems pretty confident he knows what the outcome will be.
Tommy Fury vs. Darren Till just got announced for January 18th on Misfits Boxing 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gayFTXAmmA
Hailing from Walton, in Liverpool, not only will it be a homecoming night for ‘TNT’ but it will also be an all-North West affair with plenty of local rivalry fuelling both boxers and the crowd.
Tommy Fury vs Darren Till comes to Co-op Live in Manchester on 18 January and it will be just the second combat sports event ever held at the venue after UFC 304 earlier this year, where fellow Manc Tom Aspinall retained his interim heavyweight title.
Co-op Members can access pre-sale from 10am on Tuesday, 19 November, with general admission tickets going live at 6pm later that same day. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2023 
